When you ask spinners who have been to SOAR (Spin Off Autumn Retreat) what makes this conference so special, their first response is unanimous: “It’s the people!” Everyone loves to make new friends who share a passion for fiber. Then they add, “I learn so much!” Through classes, informal demonstrations, and conversations, SOAR is a continuous give-and-take of ideas and information about fibers, dyes, tools, techniques, and projects. It’s total immersion, a nonstop learning experience, where you can talk about yarn from breakfast to bedtime.
Since the first SOAR in 1983, thousands of spinners have participated in this annual event. Many people return year after year to renew their friendships and recharge their creativity. Old-timers are cherished and new spinners are welcomed into the circle. First timers quickly realize that there’s no reason to be shy and eagerly join in the enthusiastic discussions and sharing. To give you a taste of this experience, we invited a few participants to share their memories of SOAR. Read about it in their own words.
SOAR participants who contributed quotes for this article include Diane Ballerino-Regan, Supply, NC; Gisela and Bill Evitt, Stanford, CA; Marilyn van Keppel, Kansas City, MO; Ginnie Killough, Marquette, MI; Carol and Pete Leonard, West Yorkshire, England; and Chris Little, Exeter, CA.
The people
“I can’t talk about SOAR without praising the people! Being able to talk about fiber, fiber, fiber to anyone at any time without seeing their eyes glaze over with boredom is the most inspiring and enabling benefit of all.”—Ca.L.
“SOAR is an opportunity to learn, share ideas, and be part of a community of like-minded individuals. In ‘real life’ many of us have no one who shares our love of fibers, but at SOAR, we can all get together and emote with others who understand our passion.”—D.B.R.
“I always ask to be assigned a roommate at SOAR, and these relationships never fail to generate new and lasting friendships. I now have a network of spinning friends from all over the country and beyond, and we can keep in contact between SOARs with email! In this way SOAR has had an immeasurable positive impact on my life.”—G.K.
“The friendships that I’ve developed with fiber people keep me going all year, and when it is time for SOAR, I can hardly wait to see everyone. There is such kinship among all of us. Being with people who share my passion revives me, inspires me, and helps me believe in myself.”—Ch.L.
Do you know how long SOAR has been happening? Check out these photos from the late 90's! Photos by SOAR staff unless otherwise noted
The learning experience
“About six years ago I bought a spinning wheel and gave it a whirl. From reading books and watching videos, I learned to make a yarn that hung together, but I really had no control over my product. Then I started going to SOAR. What a mind-enhancing experience that is! The chance to learn from Jane Fournier, Judith MacKenzie, Rita Buchanan and other stars of the spinning firmament; the opportunity to try out fibers I wouldn’t have had the courage to tackle on my own (read cotton and flax here); meeting other spinners of all levels of expertise; the good fellowship, food and fun! And SOAR provides the opportunity to learn about other fiber arts, too, such as dyeing. I now own eight spinning wheels, myriad hand spindles, closets full of fiber, and a backyard dye garden. And I’m about ready to take up weaving, as I’m spinning more yarn that I have time to knit up!”—M.v.K.
“Cotton is a fiber little loved by most spinners in the UK. But having been shown how to handle it by a few people, and told by Patricia Emerick to relax and enjoy it, I did just that, and now just love to spin cotton, on spindles, wheels, and hopefully soon charkhas.” — Ca.L.
“I learned not to fear synthetic dyes, coaxed and encouraged by Deb Menz and Sara Lamb. SOAR opened participants’eyes to color in many ways, through colorful landscapes and colorful dress, as well as unspun fiber.”—Ca.L.
“My projects this winter derive directly from things I have learned at SOAR. I have just painted some rovings, to be drafted out together and left as singles for knitting, inspired by Deb Menz and Kathryn Alexander. I am also spinning cotton, which I plan to paint and knit into a waistcoat.”— Ca.L.
It wouldn’t be SOAR, without our wonderful instructors!
“My passion for spindles began at SOAR. Workshops with Ed Franquemont, Lynne de Rose Mason, Priscilla Gibson-Roberts and Rita Buchanan have helped me see spindles as serious tools and not just playthings. In fact, SOAR has given me the confidence to teach workshops (with my wife, Carol) in spindle spinning. I’d never have thought that I would be able to teach others, but I can. Experience of what I like about SOAR mentors (they’re approachable, relaxed, encouraging, informal, humorous, serious about our skills but not pompous) has helped me develop my own style.” —P.L.
“SOAR is special in avoiding the ’us and them’ division between ’students’ and ’teachers.’ Mentors learn as well as teach, and even the newest spinner may have something to contribute. There is great generosity in the sharing of knowledge; I have often heard a mentor credit an interesting idea that came to someone in another class.”—P.L.
“The first time I went to SOAR, I had only a rudimentary understanding of how to spin, based on one single lesson, so I took the only class that did not require a spinning wheel. I was particularly interested in learning more about qiviut, (which was why I learned to spin in the first place). Not only did I learn more about my (still) favorite fiber, I was also exposed to a multitude of other fibers, techniques, and most importantly, new ideas. Having to stretch a bit is healthy!” —D.B.R.
Our editors get to join in too!
“Things I have been exposed to are never lost, even years later, and come back when they are needed. For example, I thought that I would never Navajo-ply, but I learned how anyway and lately I’ve determined that I will do it, so I can spin some of my lovely space-dyed rovings! I have been to SOAR five times and each was a unique learning opportunity. Sometimes I go with some specific questions that I want to research with the experts who attend, but most often I go as an empty vessel, ready to receive experiences and knowledge as it happens. I have learned that there are levels of expertise that I never dreamed of before being exposed to them at SOAR, and that high levels of spinning competence are much easier to achieve with knowledgeable mentors demonstrating right before my eyes. I often end up immensely enjoying some aspect of spinning that I previously had no interest in.” —G.K.
“I appreciate the opportunity to meet in person and learn from a ’living legend.’ For example, studying with Margaret Stove has opened a whole new field for me. She knits lace; I weave fine fabric. Learning how to prepare Merino fleece and spin it into exquisitely fine yarn has been invaluable for me, and taking classes from Margaret repeatedly over the years has helped me grow enormously, just as she herself has continually perfected her techniques.”—G.E.
“I recommend trying something without any expectation that it will improve skills or solve problems, but just because it sounds completely different and like it might be fun. That’s what led me to Beth Beede’s first felting class. I knew nothing about felting and had never been attracted by it, but that experience opened up a wide, new field for me that I expect will continue to be a source of much pleasure for many years to come.”—B.E.
With a wide range of classes, from spinning to dyeing and weaving, there’s something for everyone.
“I’ve taken most of what everyone teaches. I’ve had the best times, listening to Mabel Ross tell us the right way to do it, Elizabeth Zimmermann dazzling all of us with her warmth, beauty, and wonderful techniques. There was the time I spent with Norman Kennedy one year, totally mesmerized by his personality, his accent, and his knowledge of spinning, yarns, weaving, and music.”—Ch.L.
“Although I have a degree in textiles and have taken workshops and classes with some of the best artists in the country, I can unequivocally say that SOAR mentors are some of the most creative people I’ve ever met—resourceful, enthusiastic, very helpful in teaching a technique, and wonderful to spend time with.”—Ch.L.
The market
“The market is a great opportunity to indulge our passion for collecting spindles, books, wonderful fiber, etc., and it’s also a great opportunity to try out new wheels and other tools. We rarely have anything on a similar scale in the UK.”—P.L.
Shop in the fabulous marketplace with our SOAR sponsors.
Join Us!
Join us for SOAR 2026 in York, Pennsylvania October 11-16 for another wonderful retreat full of learning and community! But hurry, just a couple of spots remain!
The text of this post initially appeared in Spin Off Summer 2000.